Dear Susie:
You often tell us to talk with our parents. Don’t you
understand? If we were able to tell our parents what’s wrong in
our lives, we wouldn’t have to send letters to you! I want to tell
my parents that I’m a former cutter, have dreams of suicide and
haven’t eaten more than one meal per day in the past
month!
Annoyed
Dear Annoyed:
My heart breaks for you. I wish I could scoop you in my
arms and just let you cry out the hurt. But because I’m not there,
I’ll trust my heavenly Father to hold you.
Yes, I hear what you’re saying, and I totally understand that
many of our readers don’t openly communicate with their
parents. Some of our readers are from dysfunctional homes, and
some don’t have both parents with them. But in an ideal
situation, the best scenario is to talk with your folks. So I’ll
always remind our readers to do that.
If you were my daughter, I’d really want you to
share your scars with me. I’d listen to you express your suicidal
feelings, and we’d work through your eating disorder together.
We’d also get professional help, because these are big issues! I
understand you feel you can’t talk with your parents, but your
letter said you want to, and that gives me hope that you
can. Please try!
You can always call our counselors here at Focus on the
Family; however, depending on your age or circumstances, they
may ask your folks first if it’s OK to speak with you: 719-531-
3400 ext. 7700.
Dear Susie:
Is it normal for a 13-year-old girl not to have had her first
kiss?
Curious
Dear Curious:
It’s not only normal, it’s smart! There’s no reason in the
world why a 13-year-old should be kissing. You’re normal, and
we think you’re incredible!
Dear Susie:
My friend asked me about the Trinity, and I don’t know how
to explain it to her. She asked how God could be the Father, the
Son and the Holy Spirit if He’s one being. Can you help me
explain this to her?
Wanting to Share
Dear Wanting to
Share:
You’re not alone in not knowing how to explain this!
Theologians have wrestled with this through the ages.
The Bible clearly teaches the Trinity in both the Old and New
Testaments. Our human minds just can’t grasp the Trinity. As
Christians, we believe it, but we can’t explain it, nor do we fully
understand it. Someday, when we’re spending eternity with God,
He’ll enable us to understand all the things we currently wrestle
with.
Bottom line: If God were small enough for us to understand,
He wouldn’t be big enough for us to worship.
Dear Susie:
I have to move in a few months because my parents are
going to Spain as missionaries, and I'm scared! Do you have any
advice for making it easier?
Frightened
Dear
Frightened:
Ask God to help you change your thinking. Instead of seeing
this as a scary situation, ask Him to help you view this as the
greatest adventure you’ve yet to experience. And start praying
now that God will prepare the hearts of girls in your future city
to be your friends, Christian girls with whom you can feel close
to and have fun with.
I believe you’re in for an amazing few years! Please write us
once you get to Spain and let us know how you’re doing. We
love you!
Dear Susie:
There’s this guy in my youth group I really like, and he’s a
strong Christian. We’ve been e-mailing each other for about
three months. The problem? He has no idea that I like him. How
do I tell him?
Anxious
Dear Anxious:
The need to let him know you like him is a concern you
don’t have to carry. I understand you want to hurry things along
and find out if he likes you as more than a friend, but why not
simply enjoy his friendship for now?
He sounds like an amazing guy! If he wants something more
to happen, he’ll let you know. I realize this is easier said than
done, but be patient and enjoy what you have right
now!
